I was recently in Portland for a convention. Great public transportation, beautiful city. Between busses, streetcars and light rail you can get around quite easily.

I took train 14 there and train 11 back. There is a light rail stop near Union Station, and from there you can get to the rest of downtown, or across the steel bridge to East Porland. I rode the Portland Streetcar to ORHC on the last day of its operation before the temporary closure of that line. Check the Portland MAX website for re-opening times and alternative buss routes.

There are great restaurants, brew pubs, etc. in downtown and near the convention center. The cafe at OMSI is also quite good, and you can get to it without having to enter the museum proper.

At the Oregon Rail Heritage Center you see UP freights, Cascades and Coast Starlight trains pass right by you. Of course, you also get to see SP 4449 and SP&S 700.

Have fun, get a day pass and ride lightrail all over. On the East side it runs near a number of rail lines, so you get double your railfanning pleasure.

Drew